Water mattress with internal float tube

ABSTRACT

A waterbed, or more properly, a water mattress, conventionally employs a water inflated, bag-like membrane enclosure which is confined about its rectangular perimeter with a rigid frame supporting its vertical surfaces and whose bag-like enclosure includes a top panel spaced above a bottom panel with their respective peripheral edges interconnected with side and end panels respectively to form the water-tight enclosure, can be improved by utilizing an internal pneumatic float tube or tubes which are operable to float along the side and end panels to provide a buoyant edge support around the periphery of the top panel when the enclosure has been filled with water, thereby improving the comfort and convenience of the water mattress.

United States Patent 1 Fraige et al.

[451 Feb. 11, 1975 1 WATER MATTRESS WITH INTERNAL FLOAT TUBE Calif.

[73] Assignee: Said Fraige by said Read [22] Filed: July 13, 1973 21Appl. No.: 379,067

[52] U.S. Cl. 5/348 WB [51] Int. Cl. A47c 27/08 [58] Field of Search5/348 R, 349, 350, 348 WB; 219/217 [56] References Cited UNITED STATESPATENTS 1,943,888 l/1934 Ewald 5/348 WB 3,766,579 10/1973 Shields 5/348WB 3,778,852 12/1973 Penn et a1 5/348 WB Primary Examiner-Paul R.Gilliam Assistant E.raminerAndrew M. Calvert Attorney, Agent. orFirm-Phillips, Moore, Weissenberger, Lempio & Strabala [57] ABSTRACT Awaterbed, or more properly, a water mattress. conventionally employs awater inflated. bag-like membrane enclosure which is confined about itsrectangular perimeter with a rigid frame supporting its verticalsurfaces and whose bag-like enclosure includes a top panel spaced abovea bottom panel with their respective peripheral edges interconnectedwith side and end panels respectively to form the water-tight enclosure,can be improved by utilizing an internal pneumatic float tube or tubeswhich are operable to float along the side and end panels to provide abuoyant edge support around the periphery of the top panel when theenclosure has been filled with water, thereby improving the comfort andconvenience of the water mattress.

10 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Waterbedsconventionally employing a frame and a water mattress continue to gainpublic acceptance as restful sleeping structures. Usually, they includea membrane fashioned to form a rectangular bag-like enclosure which isinflated with water. The membrane is usually a plastic or rubbersheet-like material and can be generally described as a structure havingspacedapart, horizontal top and bottom panels having their respectiveperipheral edges sealingly connected by vertical side and end panels. Arectangular frame having sufficient structural rigidity is employed toconfine the side and end panels of the mattress when it is waterinflated to prevent the hydrostatic pressures within the mattress frombulging outward to a semi-circular configuration. This would normallyoccur because the membrane forming the bag-like enclosure lacksstructural integrity to hold the mattress in a box-like configurationwithout vertical supports for the end and side panels, as well as thebottom panel, on which the weight of the water is actually supported.

A water mattress, as described above, will comfortably support a personlying prone thereon due to the relatively large surface area over whichthe persons weight is distributed, however, if the persons weight isconcentrated or localized on small areas of the mattress, it will tendto displace the water immediately therebeneath, resulting in a majordepression in the top surface of the mattress. This can occur if aperson stands or kneels or otherwise positions his body on the mattressto localize his weight on a relatively small surface area thereof.Often, such a condition occurs as a person is getting onto or off of thetop surface of a water mattress, and it is in these situations thatmajor depressions adjacent to the contiguous rigid frame are troublesomeand often result in uncomfortable contact with the vertical supportboards of the frame.

Also, some discomfort with water mattresses is experienced when thesleeper rolls too close to the edge or frame area, which again, oftenresults in a major depression in the area immediately adjacent to theframe and often tends to wedge the person against the frame in anuncomfortable manner.

In addition, due to the lack of structural integrity in the membranefrom which the mattress is constructed, its vertical side and end panelstend to make rather iarge radii curved corners at their intersectionswith the top panels rather than the more conventional square corners ofa foam or spring mattress.

Therefore, it is an object of the current invention to provide alow-cost water mattress which overcomes the above problems, therebyincreasing its comfort and enhancing its utility as well as itsaesthetic appearance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A waterbed or water mattress accomplishing theabove objects as well as providing other advantages includes awater-inflatable rectangular enclosure formed of a membrane having arectangular top surface panel spaced above a parallel bottom rectangularsurface panel with its peripheral panel edges connected with side andend panels to form a water-tight box-like enclosure, a water inflationand closure aperture, a pneumatic float tube attached internally withinthe box-like enclosure along and adjacent to at least one side panelthereof and an air inflation tube communicating with said pneumaticfloat tube so that the float tube will effect a buoyant edge supportalong the at least one side panel thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The instant invention will be betterunderstood by referring to the attached drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective of the improved water mattress along with asupporting frame having parts broken away to show the internal detail ofthe mattress; and

FIG. 2 is a cross section of the improved mattress and supporting framestructure shown in FIG. I, better illustrating the internal pneumaticfloat tube.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In reference to the perspectiveshown in FIG. 1, a waterbed is illustrated having a frame 11 thatsupports a water-inflated mattress 12. The frame includes a floor 13supported on a base 14 that has vertical side boards 15 and end boardsconnected at their ends to form an open box rlike structure above thefloor. Usually, the frame is constructed of wood, as illustrated in thedrawings, with the side and end boards bolted or screwed to the floor13, and their corners joined to enhance the integrity of the framestructure.

Within this box-lik'e frame structure, now referred to as frame 11, thewater mattress 12 is contained. Basically, it is formed with a rubber orplastic membrane from which the bag-like water enclosure is fashioned.For the purposes of description, this bag-like enclosure can beconsidered as having a horizontal rectangular top panel 20 with aspaced-apart rectangular bottom panel arranged in parallel relationshipon the floor 13 of the frame 11, with side panels 22 and end panels 23connecting the peripheral edges of the top and bottom panels to form thewater-tight bag-like enclosure.

In actual practice, the side and end panels, 22 and 23, respectively,are usually formed by extending portions or flaps ofthe top and bottompanels,'20 and 21 respectively, that are connected by welding or glueingthe ends of these extending portions in the central area of the side andend panels, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, to effect a continuous seam25 about the peripheral vertical sides and ends of the bag-likeenclosure. This is actually a preferred arrangement, as it eliminatesnumerous other seams that otherwise might be necessary, and makes themattress less susceptible to leakages in the seam area. Further, thissingle seam construction is particularly appropriate for practicing theinstant invention, as will be described subsequently. Located in the toppanel is a water filler plug enclosure 24 through which the mattress iswater-inflated. Such a filler plug enclosure is conventional to mostwater mattresses.

Within the bag-like rectangular water enclosure described above, are oneor more air or pneumatic float tubes 30, as can be seen in FIGS. 1 and2. In the embodiment illustrated, a single rectangular float tube ringsthe inner periphery of the bag-like enclosure and forms a secondarychamber therein having a separate air-inflation valve 31, so it can beinflated independently with air before the water mattress or enclosureis completely inflated with water. In an alternate structure, fourseparate float tubes 30 could be utilized, each having their ownseparate air inflation valve 31.

If this alternate structure is employed, the individual float tubeshould extend substantially the full length of the adjacent side panel22 or end panel 23 along which it is disposed.

In both embodiments, and as a matter of necessity in the alternateembodiment, the float tube or tubes 30 are attached parallel and closelyadjacent to a side panel 22 or an end panel 23, as shown in thedrawings. By effecting such an attachment, which is accomplished in thecontinuous seam 25 of the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, thefloat tube or tubes are secured contiguous or adjacent to an end or sidepanel, as the case may be, so they can function properly.

Basically, the function of the float tube or tubes 30 is to provide abuoyant edge support around the periphery of the top panel of theenclosure without substantial modification of mattress softness andcomfort. This is accomplished by internal buoyant tubes which are freeto move vertically within the water-filled baglike enclosure in responseto highly localized loading along the edges of the top panel 20. It canbe appreciated that the float tube or tubes actually are air chamberswhich are buoyant in the surrounding water and also have a length atleast substantially equivalent to the adjacent side or end panel. As aresult, highly localized loading will, to some extent, be transmittedaxially along the tube, thereby increasing the weight distribution thatis localized in any point thereof. Since the buoyancy factor isappreciable, a firm gentle support is provided by the float tube ortubes. In addition, the buoyancy of the float tube or tubes tends tosquare the top edges of the bag-like enclosure by providing a lift atpoint A, which makes the current water mattress more appealingaesthetically when compared to a more conventional foam or springmattress.

In practice, these water mattresses have a thickness of T, which varysfrom 6 to 12 inches. Therefore, the float tube or tubes 30 should bedesigned to have an inflated diameter D approximating one-half totwo-thirds the thickness T of the water mattress.

FIG. 2 best illustrates a practical application of the float tube 30,where a girl is shown perched on a top edge of the improved watermattress. It can be seen that the girls weight is localized over thefloat tube 30 and the outermost edge of the mattress is being supportedat a height approximately equal to the height of the side board 15,making it easier for her to leave the surface of the mattress. Normally,the float tube will not bottom out against the bottom panel 21 due toits length and buoyancy. In fact, a person can adjust the edge supportto suit his whims by merely adjusting the degree of inflation (below itsmaximum inflation diameter) to achieve the best personal compromisebetween softness and edge support. Also, it can be appreciated that avertical air chamber extending between the top and bottom would not beequivalent to the float tube, as it cannot function in the mannerdescribed above, as the float tube moves independently of the adjacentor contiguous elastomer membrane surfaces of the side and/or top panels.

The float tube or tubes 30 can be constructed of the same flexibleelastomer membrane from which the panels of the bag-like enclosure areformed. In particular, 7

sheets of polyvinyl chloride are especially suitable for forming boththe bag-like enclosure and float tube or tubes 30. In fact, whenconstructed in accordance with the structure shown in the drawings, thefloat tube or tubes and enclosure can all be formed with a single commonseam, facilitating the economic manufacture of the improved watermattress.

What is claimed is:

1. An improved water mattress with edge support which is adapted to beconfined in a rigid box-like waterbed frame comprising:

a water inflatable bag-like enclosure having a top panel. a parallel,spaced-apart bottom panel and edge panels sealingly interconnecting saidtop and bottom panels to form a water-tight enclosure;

a water filling and valve means in one of said panels having fluidcommunication with the interior of said bag-like enclosure;

at least one float tube means hingedly connected at one edge internallywithin said enclosure adjacent to and along one edge panel thereof in amanner allowing it to move between said top and bottom panelsindependently of said one edge panel, said float tube means forming aninternal, fluid-tight chamber within said bag-like enclosure; and

an air filling and valve means located in one of said panels and havingfluid communication with said fluid-tight internal chamber whereby saidfloat tube means can be pneumatically inflated to provide edge supportfor said top panel along the top of said one edge panel through itsbuoyancy in relation to the fluid filling said bag-like enclosure.

2. The improved water mattress defined in claim 1 wherein said floattube means is mounted in a manner which allows it to move verticallywithin the bag-like enclosure when the latter is filled with water.

3. The improved water mattress defined in claim 2 wherein the float tubemeans is centrally connected on the one edge panel to allow movementthereof between the top and bottom panels.

4. The improved water mattress defined in claim 2 wherein the top andbottom panels are rectangular and the edge panels are composed of twoside panels and two end panels.

5. The improved water mattress defined in claim 4 where a float tubemeans is connected adjacent to and along each side panel thereof andeach float tube means extends substantially the full length of itsassociated side panel.

6. The improved water mattress defined in claim 4 wherein the float tubemeans rings the inner periphery of the bag-like enclosure so a portionthereof is adjacent and parallel to each of the side and end panelsthereof.

7. The improved water mattress defined in claim 1 wherein the panels ofthe bag-like enclosure are formed from an elastomer membrane.

8. The improved water mattress defined in claim 1 wherein the diameterof the float tube means is less than two thirds the height of itsadjacent edge panel.

9. The improved water mattress defined in claim 3 wherein said floattube means is hingedly connected centrally on the one edge panel toallow movement thereof between the top and bottom panels.

10. A waterbed frame having vertical side and end boards and joined toform a rigid box-like frame in combination with a water mattress, saidwater mattress comprising:

a rectangular water inflatable bag-like enclosure sized to fit withinthe rigid box-like frame and having a top panel, a spaced-apart bottompanel and chamber within said bag-like enclosure and mounted to enableit to move vertically within said enclosure; and

an air filling and valve means located in one of said panels and havingfluid communication with said fluid-tight internal chamber whereby saidfloat tube means can be pneumatically inflated to provide edge supportalong the top of said one side panel through its buoyancy when saidbag-like enclosure is filled with water.

i III UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent 5,66af7o8 Dated February '11, 1 75 Inventor(s) hichar'd F'raige It iscertified that error appears in the above-identified patent and thatsaid Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

On the title page, after the abstract, "'10 Claims" should read 11Claims Signed and Scaled this First Day Of November I977 [SEAL] Attest:

RUTH C. MASON LUTRELLE F. PARKER Attesting Officer Acting Commissionerof Patents and Trademarks H050 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATEOF CORRECTION PatentNo. 3.86MJ68 Dated February 11. 1975 lnventofls)Richard Fraiglge et al It is certified that error appears in theabove-identified patent and that saigl Letters Patent are herebycorrected as shown below:

Inventor'tieeignation should read as follows:-

-[75] Inventors: Richard Fraige, 1823 Alameda Avenue,

Alameda, Calif. Jerry Read, 38 Washburn Street, San-Francisco, Calif.-

. Claim 1, line 15, after "independently" i'nsert of a lower portion-.

Signed and sealed this' 6th day bf May 1975.

(SEAL) Attest:

C. MARSHALL DANN RUTH C. MASON Commissioner of Patents Attesting Officerand Trademarks

1. An improved water mattress with edge support which is adapted to beconfined in a rigid box-like waterbed frame comprising: a waterinflatable bag-like enclosure having a top panel, a parallel,spaced-apart bottom panel and edge panels seaLingly interconnecting saidtop and bottom panels to form a watertight enclosure; a water fillingand valve means in one of said panels having fluid communication withthe interior of said bag-like enclosure; at least one float tube meanshingedly connected at one edge internally within said enclosure adjacentto and along one edge panel thereof in a manner allowing it to movebetween said top and bottom panels independently of said one edge panel,said float tube means forming an internal, fluid-tight chamber withinsaid bag-like enclosure; and an air filling and valve means located inone of said panels and having fluid communication with said fluid-tightinternal chamber whereby said float tube means can be pneumaticallyinflated to provide edge support for said top panel along the top ofsaid one edge panel through its buoyancy in relation to the fluidfilling said bag-like enclosure.
 2. The improved water mattress definedin claim 1 wherein said float tube means is mounted in a manner whichallows it to move vertically within the bag-like enclosure when thelatter is filled with water.
 3. The improved water mattress defined inclaim 2 wherein the float tube means is centrally connected on the oneedge panel to allow movement thereof between the top and bottom panels.4. The improved water mattress defined in claim 2 wherein the top andbottom panels are rectangular and the edge panels are composed of twoside panels and two end panels.
 5. The improved water mattress definedin claim 4 where a float tube means is connected adjacent to and alongeach side panel thereof and each float tube means extends substantiallythe full length of its associated side panel.
 6. The improved watermattress defined in claim 4 wherein the float tube means rings the innerperiphery of the bag-like enclosure so a portion thereof is adjacent andparallel to each of the side and end panels thereof.
 7. The improvedwater mattress defined in claim 1 wherein the panels of the bag-likeenclosure are formed from an elastomer membrane.
 8. The improved watermattress defined in claim 1 wherein the diameter of the float tube meansis less than two thirds the height of its adjacent edge panel.
 9. Theimproved water mattress defined in claim 3 wherein said float tube meansis hingedly connected centrally on the one edge panel to allow movementthereof between the top and bottom panels.
 10. A waterbed frame havingvertical side and end boards and joined to form a rigid box-like framein combination with a water mattress, said water mattress comprising: arectangular water inflatable bag-like enclosure sized to fit within therigid box-like frame and having a top panel, a spaced-apart bottom paneland vertical end and side panels sealingly interconnecting said top andbottom panels to form a water-tight bag-like structure, said verticalend and side panels arranged to be supported respectively by saidvertical end and side boards; a water filling and valve means located inone of said panels and having fluid communication with the interior ofsaid bag-like enclosure; at least one float tube means hingedly mountedinternally at one edge along one of said side panels, said float tubemeans forming an internal fluid-tight chamber within said bag-likeenclosure and mounted to enable it to move vertically within saidenclosure; and an air filling and valve means located in one of saidpanels and having fluid communication with said fluid-tight internalchamber whereby said float tube means can be pneumatically inflated toprovide edge support along the top of said one side panel through itsbuoyancy when said bag-like enclosure is filled with water.